81 comments:

Here are all of my Thanksgiving tips from this year (most of them are squash related):

- Butternut squash makes a better "pumpkin" than actual pumpkin for pie, and it's a billion times easier to prepare and cook.- If you're using canned pumpkin for pie, throw the puree in the blender before you use it: it turns out way better that way.- Roast your turkey upside down for most of the time, and then just flip it up to crisp the skin near the end. Then the juices will run through the breast meat while the turkey cooks.

Kathy: may I suggest a cranberry sauce compromise, for those who can't agree between whole cranberry sauce and jellied? Check out Alton Brown's cranberry sauce recipe, which is a whole cranberry sauce that sets in a jelly mold.

Since I'm not hosting, I need not mediate the cranberry sauce opinions. :) Although last year, there were 2 kinds of chunky: regular and spicy.

There will be 22 people at dinner, and the kitchen is not so large -- so the preparation involves some hilarious choreography in the kitchen! Oven, stove, counter, and fridge space are all at a premium.

Usually, two of the future FotB's best lifelong friends are there with their families -- which is just great. The stories!

Cranberries: cranberries and whole oranges, put through the old fashioned grinder. Some sugar. It's that or nothing. Anything jiggly is right out for me.

We'll be heading out to my parents' house tomorrow sometime. Which is great, except too many people in too few square feet for too many days. Sweet is already acting out.

Today: glasses adjusted, tree trimmers finally got here and did a nice job, plumbers arrived and replaced garbage disposal with no problems. Floors swept and mopped. Now I think we're going to get started on the Christmas tree, since we won't get back till Saturday and will need to have everything in place for a Open House the following Sunday.

I'm so jealous of all the pixies that get to put up trees after US Thanksgiving. My family has a rule (which we have continued) that trees don't go up until after my birthday (December 8th). I want to put up our big Christmas tree! But I bought such a big one that I really shouldn't do it too early!

Mr. Q's "QWP Catching Him Up on Today's News" session today (he doesn't have time to follow much news lately) involved a lot of me shouting and throwing my arms in the air and substitutes for swear words. It's a stressful time to be a German historian, you guys.

Point of clarification: it is a significantly more stressful time to be a member of pretty much any marginalized group in the US, and I am in a privileged position to be watching this from another country.

Our tree generally goes up the first Sunday of Advent which is this Sunday. However, this is the first year we've had the kittens and they are very curious, not to mention destructive. We may hold off a week or two...

W: I did not present myself at my most mature today, when the first issue of a magazine I renewed for my SIL arrived at my house instead of her facility. Do they not understand "gift" subscriptions? Anyway, they assured me that by *February*, they'll start getting it to her actual location. And then they wanted her email. The email for my SIL who has dementia and cannot manage anything at all -- that's the part where I got less patient, needing to explain that again.

Ugh, kathy. It's more difficult to deal with the everyday garden-variety annoyances when the world has gone mad.

I was listening to a podcast on the way into work this morning and the hosts and guest were talking about the grief of the nation in the US. I've heard those words a lot in the past few weeks. How sad that a presidential election results in a nation's grief. It breaks my heart and infuriates me at the same time.

Hugs, Liz. I heard about that same event, and spent the evening clattering around the kitchen, and occasionally shouting, "ACTUAL NAZIS!" And the media mainstreaming/whitewashing of these people is beyond troubling.

I want that cranberry/ice cream/pecan pie very badly.

W: terrible night. I coughed until 1:30, and then E woke up screaming because of her clogged nose and coughing at 4:40. We're both wiped today. I'm still in my pyjamas.AW: at least we didn't need to be anywhere today. And I'd had the foresight to make Mr. Q sleep in his office/spare bedroom, because he was going to need to write essays until late, and I didn't want him waking us up. It ended up working in his favour, because he wasn't awaken at 4:40, and then he didn't wake us up when he got up for work. And so we all had a better night than it could have been.

Warning: If you don't want your brain to explode, don't follow the live updates of the meeting between the PE and NYT. It's fireplaced up. Asked about the Nazi conference, he said, "I disavow and condemn them."

A question for you all, because you'll know.Does pecan pie have to be refrigerated? I usually haven't (I think), but it is kind of an eggy custard, so now I'm not sure. With all the fake news stories on the web, I can't decide who to believe on this. ;) Then, decided I would believe you all. So..... what do the pixies think?:)

I don't recognize our country. Realized that PE has a resemblance (perhaps my imagining) to the dictator in Hung3r G@mes. That is not a good thing. Wish I could say it is unbelievable about the meeting with actual nazis. terrifying.

All types of foods welcome!!! From all parts of the globe! And not just "tolerated", but celebrated!!!(Of course, that's me, and if you lean toward vegetarian or vegan, I still love you and celebrate you too!!!)

:) Neighbor Lady

p.s. Neighbor Guy also said that pumpkin pie doesn't need refrigeration due to presence in grocery stores, but I always thought it did, so now am confused about that as well. Good point about preservatives.... hmmmmm........maybe we should take a (I hate to use the word) poll on that too.....

Internet research says homemade custard pies (ie pumpkin), and pies with eggs in the filling must be kept in the fridge (and then can be reheated to eat, if you like your pies warm). Either can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Fruit pies do not need refrigeration.

I just heard via a good friend that there's a call for boycotting T@rg3t because they support communities and *welcome LBGTQ folks*. So, I have put off doing anything about the holiday next month, but believe I might have reason to make a major shopping run next week. Aloha!

kathy, it's good to know that no constitution or charter will need amendment in the matter of Piegate. :)

When in doubt, refrigerate. When a great big turkey is taking up all the space in the fridge - it's more important to chill that bird than to chill the pie.

The shopping boycott on the part of the haters will be as ridiculous as their protest of St@rb^cks, where they showed up in droves and bought expensive coffee to protest the expensive coffee shop. Ummmm..... :) Likewise, the more they protest T@rg$t, the more community supporters, LGBTQ folks and their friends and family will shop there.

Or, the ridiculousness of people calling for a boycott of H@milt0n, which will MAYBE result in three more tickets being available for fans in the next three years.

W: I got to be the parent with the screaming child at preschool dropoff today, to the point that she was late for school. I really thought she'd recovered enough to go to school, and she was happy the whole way there (and excited because they were having a special costume day), but we arrived just after another kid got to press the door buzzer to be let in, and I refused to close the door and let her press the button a second time (because running to buzz everyone in takes up a lot of time for the teacher and EA, and it was freezing outside). So: screaming meltdown in the stairwell. I came very close to turning around and taking her home, but I correctly guessed that it would be easier for her to see her teacher and cheer up for school than for me to drag a screaming costumed child all the way home. (Did I mention that we had freezing rain last night, and the whole world is slippery?)

Here is a joke that I heard at my church auction on Saturday (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling).

"How many UUs does it take to change a lightbulb?""We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb. During next Sunday’s service, we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted; all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence."

Alternate answer:"None. We believe the lightbulb is beautiful and valid just as it is and welcome it to be its full self here"

A. One, who will affirm the rights of all bulbs to screw into the sockets of their choice, regardless of the bulb’s illumination preference.

______________________________________________

Q: How many UU’s does it take to change a light bulb?

A: This statement was issued: “We chose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that’s fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb and present it next month at our annual light-bulb service, in which we will explore a number of light-bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, or any additional non dark resources-all of which represent equally valid paths to luminescence.”

______________________________________________

Q: How many UU’s does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Nine: A representative from the Green Sanctuary task force to approve the bulb type and wattage, three members to form a committee “for” the change, two to form a committee to research the history of past bulb use, a member of the Property Committee to check the building use schedule, & locate the ladder, the custodian to change the bulb and the minister asks, “Could we have a volunteer from the Hospitality committee support them in their efforts by making some coffee?”

______________________________________________

Q: How many Unitarians does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Unitarian Universalists accept and affirm that not everyone may find light bulb-oriented illumination useful, or even believe in electricity or the Electric Company. But we will support each and every individual’s search for illumination both on and off the grid.

W: We also have a mix of snow and freezing rain today, making driving a challenge. I have an appointment later on today to have my snow tires put on. Between now and then, I have to get to the hospital and visit my MIL because she's feeling abandoned/angry/sad and my FIL now has a full-on chest cold and can't get out of bed. I'm just hoping I get the car to the garage in one piece!

W: I had to go to the dreaded supermarket, so I went early. All the carts were gone on the side where I parked -- this place has 3 megatons of carts. AW: Got almost everything. And, it will be much worse there this afternoon.

Yesterday, the daughter of my elderly neighbor called -- she lives a distance, and he was complaining of pain, and his wife was out, so I went and sat with him a while. These neighbors are so lovely! (He's OK, they think; except for the dementia part.) Anyway, the daughter just brought us a tart! And my daughter is actually bringing 2 pumpkin pies home. We are your all-pie, all the time outlet. ;)

I think I still need to bake the brownies, because my daughter needs chocolate, and isn't into the usual pies.

I have to grocery shop for a few things. Tonight. Because when I tried to go yesterday after picking Teen Boy from scouts, he begged to go straight home. Because he had to go #2 and he do that in public and he was about to explode from holding it in all that time.

On the up side, Miranda -- he told you the truth! Best with the shopping extravaganza.

It is a good thing I'm not hosting, because I'd probably just say "fireplace cleaning," but still have a freakout. INSTEAD, the dip is made, the veggies ready to cut tomorrow, my recipe for a side dish is intact and ingredients aligned, and cupcake-sized brownies are in the oven.

The hospital visit was difficult, but she was genuinely glad to see me. She's confused and frustrated and didn't understand why FIL wasn't there.

Got the car to the garage...very slowly. It was tough driving. Courtesy car took me home. They were running behind schedule and mine was the last vehicle on the list (by my request), so I told them I could wait until this morning to pick up the car. I thought the woman running the service desk was going to hug me!

I'm glad that it worked out so nicely for you and the garage, Sue! What awful, slippery conditions we've been having. And so many hugs about the hospital visit, and the in-law situation.

Happy Thanksgiving to the US pixies! I hope you are all having a wonderful day, with non-stressful family and friends, and full of good food. I'm roasting a bunch of pumpkins in your honour today. (I'm tempted to make pumpkin pie. I will likely only get as far as pumpkin pasta today.)

I'm smiling right now. I spent the first part of E's quiet time weeding out all the outgrown clothes (but particularly the outgrown dress clothes), because I'm needing to get together a big donation to the local outreach immediately (big demand for warm coats and boots, and for holiday dress clothes right now). I was surprised to realise that E's closet was nearly empty once I eliminated all the small clothes (big growth spurt lately), and started wondering what E would wear to her Christmas concert and parties this year. But then I remembered to check the hand-me-down drawers in the basement: this past summer I received another shipment of hand-me-downs from my friend (whose mother loves bargain shopping, and who gives each of her grandchildren enough clothes to clothe three kids, and then the clothes from the one girl gets divided among three of us with kids the same age).

It turns out that I had an entire drawer FULL of puffy dresses, all 4T size. Not only do we have something to wear to every event this year (and then to every wedding and church service imaginable after that), we'll be stocking the outreach with Christmas dresses next year again.

Such a great Thanksgiving at the almost-in-laws! 2 turkeys (one bbq'd, one from the oven); spinach; green bean casserole (somebody's homemade recipe, not canned soup); dressing; 2 kinds of gravy; mashed potatoes; cheezy potato bake; sweet potato gratin; 2 kinds of cran sauce. That was after the appetizers, and before the dessserts (pumpkin pie; 2 different berry pies; cupcake sized brownies).

Big crowd this year, 22 people. It was nice!

The wedding plans have been kind of stalled since first they need a place, and then a date. My son finally came and asked me to set up a time for him and his fiancee to come look at our community center, which is large enough, nice, has a fenced patio/grassy area adjacent to the hall, industrial kitchen, not required to hire from a set list of caterers, reduced rates for residents (like our family). YAY! They're aiming for early June -- which I hope is still possible!!

Bonus AW: The almost-in-laws live with a former foster kitten of ours! She was a little fluff-ball at our house; and now she is one of the most enormous cats evah. But there were purrs and snuggles when we snuck into her hideout room for a visit.

No cranberry sauce on purpose, I mean. But it just may never have made it out of the fridge because SIL was on call all night the night before. She works in Child Protective Services. She had 2 hours of sleep.

The MotB and I are fired up, ready to go on this wedding thing. As soon as the kids agree on a place and date -- and tell us more of what they want -- it will definitely fall into place. They have a catering friend, so that should take care of most of the food needs. In the family are a semi-pro cake baker and a flower arranger -- although they can go another way if they want! Whatever they want! They just have to decide, already!

It's been a rough week. We found out my mom's transplanted organ (k) is failing (because of her she and cancer she can't get on a list for a new one), my refrigerator got left or popped open and we lost several weeks' worth of groceries and the home-grown heritage-breed turkey I raised myself that was thawing for Thanksgiving dinner, my toddler came down with a horrible stomach virus or food poisoning on Thanksgiving day that meant we had to stay home from the family gathering while she had over a dozen bouts of vomiting over the course of about 10 hours (a couple of others of us had much milder symptoms, which may or may not have been illness-related), then Thanksgiving night we discovered a roof leak that is affecting the wall and ceiling in the outbuilding where the shop/barn and apartment are, my 15yo locked the chickens up and couldn't figure out how to latch the door so just propped a piece of wood against it and something got two of my 6 remaining laying hens, and I am stressing about a few other things, but surprisingly not feeling like breaking down completely yet.

H still hasn't paid the GAL so she can get started yet. He did write a letter to the GAL arguing that I'm incapable of giving the kids the supervision and help they need and transporting them to things, and arguing that because the kids blame me for the separation they should be with him half the time.

The kids are still getting all As and in their honors school and have had 0 tardies, and have not missed any of their activities due to my health issues, so the longer that goes on the harder a time he will have convincing the GAL I'm not capable of handling the kids the majority of the time, I'm hoping.

Oh wow, pk. That is so much. So many hugs. (And a clean shirt.) I'm amazed by how you are continuing to get the kids to everything, and keeping up with their schooling and appointments, and all of that, while so much (but especially STBX) has been working against you. I have a feeling that his behaviour toward the GAL -- particularly his refusal to pay thus far -- will work against him in terms of his claims that he's the stable one. And I'm so sorry about your mom. I'll be praying, and I'm sending you more hugs.

Thanks for checking in, pk. I had been wondering about you. I'm sorry you've had such a rotten Thanksgiving, and I'm sorry for all the rest, too.

I"m checking in now that we are back home, complete with the cousin's cold. Mini is a snot factory, and Sweet has a sore throat. I feel pretty good but think I feel it coming on. Thanksgiving was fine. We ate. We had a good time, mostly. Baby cousin is cutest thing ever.

Actually, it wasn't in the stuffing per se, it was in the bread used to make the stuffing (whey as an ingredient), so made the whole thing not worth it for me to try .....Yes, our menu for tonight is stuffing, green beans, spinach salad and pie. I can barely explain how excited I am!!!!:)Also because I am not making it!Although that is because I will be working on school stuff all day. :(AW: daughter made pancakes this morning for us all. And, she put crushed oreos in some of them, which sounds...over the top.... and yet was just right!(not our healthiest day, but there were blueberries!!!)

But today I remembered the "untied way," something made up by a columnist I used to read, and the general idea is: get a wad of cash. Give some to people in need. No strings, just do it. Gave a ten to a sad guy asking for quarters outside the pharmacy, and he hugged me -- so I hugged back. Not a solution. Just -- maybe we both needed that hug today.

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